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Those who claim allegiance to Team Peeta have another reason to celebrate victory.

Though “Hunger Games” star Josh Hutcherson has attracted admirers around the world for his good looks, charming demeanor, and dynamic presence in one of the biggest movies of the year, the actor’s latest accolade comes for his role as a social advocate. Honored at the 2012 GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on Saturday (April 21), the actor, and founder of the Straight But Not Narrow organization, explained to Zap2It how equal rights became his cause.

“It’s something I’ve believed in since the day I was born,” says the 19-year-old star, who was presented with the Vanguard Award at the gala. “My family was very much into equal rights for all people, different races, sexuality, whatever. And I just think that I was raised with the ability to feel comfortable with whoever I was, and just to know people aren’t raised with that kind of belief is just sad. So, I wanna try and change that as much as possible.”

Hutcherson, who also starred in the 2010 film, “The Kids Are All Right,” also commented on “The Hunger Games” director Gary Ross‘ recent departure from the “Hunger Games'” next installment, “Catching Fire.” After the filmmaker announced he would not be rejoining the team on the second installment of the action trilogy, Lionsgate officially offered the job to director Francis Lawrence.

Hutcherson had this to say on the news. “I’m excited about it. I love Gary Ross, I’m gonna miss him dearly. I thought he brought great things to the movie but at the same time, Francis is extremely talented, and I’ve heard nothing but good things.”